Sunday Morning Hype: Louisiana Tech vs Kennesaw State
Louisiana Tech (4-1, 2-0) looks to close out its two-game road swing on a high note as the Bulldogs travel to face Kennesaw State (3-2, 1-0) on Thursday night.
Kickoff is set for 6:00 PM at Fifth Third Stadium. Fans can catch the action live on ESPN+ or tune in to the radio broadcast on KXKZ 107.5 FM.
Matchup at a Glance
Louisiana Tech enters the matchup with a 4-1 record—the program’s best start since 2019, when the Bulldogs opened the season by winning eight of their first nine games.
In their 30-11 victory over UTEP on September 27, the Bulldogs’ defense continued to shine, forcing a season-high five turnovers, including pick-sixes by Jakari Foster and Alonzo Jackson Jr.
Running back Clay Thevenin paced the offense with a season-high 68 rushing yards and a touchdown on 19 carries.
However, the win came at a cost. Star linebacker and leading tackler Kolbe Fields suffered a season-ending knee injury, delivering a tough blow to the Tech defense.
Like Louisiana Tech, Kennesaw State enters Thursday night’s matchup riding a three-game winning streak—an impressive turnaround for a program that managed just two victories last season.
Under first-year head coach Jerry Mack, the Owls have strung together back-to-back-to-back wins over Merrimack, Arkansas State, and Middle Tennessee.
Quarterback Amari Odom, who took over the starting role two weeks ago against Arkansas State, has made an immediate impact—racking up 605 total yards and four touchdowns in his first two starts.
On the defensive side, linebacker Baron Hopson continues to set the tone. He recorded a team-high 11 tackles in the Owls’ most recent win over Middle Tennessee and leads the squad with 47 total stops on the season.
Week Six X-Factors: Two Questions that Matter
Was the turnover-heavy performance against UTEP an outlier, or a sign of a deeper issue for the Bulldogs?
Prior to their trip to El Paso on September 27, Louisiana Tech had committed just one turnover all season. But against UTEP, the script flipped—Tech’s offense gave the ball away four times, allowing the Miners to hang around well into the fourth quarter.
With the Bulldogs’ defense playing at such a high level, offensive turnovers are especially costly.
Blake Baker and the Louisiana Tech offense will need to return to their efficient, mistake-free form Saturday night at Kennesaw State to keep their momentum rolling.
Just how much will losing Kolbe Fields impact Louisiana Tech’s defensive dominance?
It’s a fair question. With the injury to Kolbe Fields, the Bulldogs didn’t just lose their top defensive player—they lost their emotional leader on and off the field.
There’s no question that Alonzo Jackson Jr., Jadon Mayfield, and Zheric Hill have the talent to fill the void, but they’re still relatively young. For Louisiana Tech’s defense to maintain its high level of play, that trio will need to prove they can deliver consistent, four-quarter performances week in and week out.
What’s Dropping This Week on BleedTechBlue (Week of Oct. 5)
Sunday
- Sunday Morning Hype – Kick off your week with energy!
Monday
- Statistical Comparison
Tuesday
- Stat Attack
- Press Conference News & Notes
- BTB Radio – Tune in for analysis, updates & special guests!
Wednesday
- Scout the Opposing Quarterback – Know the enemy.
- Depth Chart Look-In
- Score Predictions
- Friday Final Word – Wrapping it all up before kickoff.
- BC joins SportsTalk 97.7 FM for his weekly radio hit — catch him at 7:15 AM!
Thursday – Game Day!
- Three Keys to Victory
- Game Day Central
- Game Thread – Live updates & fan chatter.
- BleedTechBlue Postgame Call-in Show
Presented by Impact Healthcare Solutions on KXKZ 107.5 FM
Friday
- Snap Count Totals
- Player Grades – How’d the Dawgs perform?
Saturday
- Who Impressed, Who Struggled?
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